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What I’ve Learned About Life: Part Two

Yesterday I wrote 15 things that I’ve learned about life. Here is the final group of 20. That isn’t to say that this is all I’ve learned during my time on the planet; just those that immediately came to mind.

1. The difficult times are not there to punish us but to help us grow spiritually.

2. There are angels to guide you along the way; people who show up at the right time at the right place to help you choose the path that is to your highest good.

3. Some life events are destiny, but we have free will within those parameters; as co-creators of our existence, we are given much leeway to build our lives the way we want.

4. As much as it feels differently, there are no “failures”— only choices and opportunities for learning. Some of us just take more opportunities than others.

5. Take risks. Not risks that cause harm, but risks that stretch you out of your comfort zone.

6. “Bad” things happen to “good” people, and “good” things happen to “bad” people. Life really isn’t fair, nor is it meant to be fair, even though we feel it should be.

7. The contrasts we experience in this world are what lead us to create that which we want: if we are poor, we try to create wealth; if we are sick, we try to create health; and so on.

8. The contrasts are necessary, and they will always be. So when we try to make everyone conform to one way, it only leads to greater strife because one way will never work for everyone. Accept the contrasts that exist among us.

9. The mind is a powerful tool, especially the imagination. You can think your way into the depths of despair or into the highest joy, right from your current situation. And it’s your choice.

11. There is no one “right” religion. Everyone must find the religion that works for them (even if it’s no religion), and no one else can determine what that is. The sooner we figure this out, the better off we will all be.

12. Balance in life is extremely important. Too much work or too much play can be equally harmful. Too much work yields no rest, while too much play yields no sense of satisfaction.

13. Appreciate the beauty of nature. Get lost in it on a regular basis. We all need to feel the power of the Universe every so often to remember that the world does not revolve around us.

14. Life is about taking chances. You never get anywhere good if you don’t.

15. We never know the effect we have on people — by our words, actions, or even just our presence. So we should take great care with our interactions.

16. Pay close attention to your emotions. They are there to help guide you in making decisions. Too often we let our heads overrule our hearts, to our detriment.

17. You can’t run away from your problems. Or drink them away, drug them away, work them away, travel them away, or otherwise avoid them. They go wherever you go until you deal with them. And if you internalize them without dealing with them, don’t be surprised if they manifest as a disease. The mind-body connection is more powerful than you think.

18. Think about those whose lives have been torn apart by a disaster, accident, sudden death of a loved one, or other tragedy. Then ask yourself what’s really important.

19. This one I’m borrowing, but from whom, I don’t know: No one ever laid on their deathbed and said, “I wish I would have spent more time at work.”

20. There is no one “right” way to be. There are many ways to be; and all are right.

What things have you learned? Feel free to add to the list.

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